Massachusetts Elder Abuse Through Social Media

A Massachusetts nursing home lawyer provides help with nursing home planning to seniors and to families of people who require nursing home care. As many as 70 percent of people 65 and older will eventually have to go into a nursing home, according to the Wall Street Journal. Those who need nursing home care have to make smart choices to ensure they end up in a care facility where they are treated appropriately and provided with the care they require.

Unfortunately, in far too many nursing homes, seniors are not treated with respect or provided with even the basics that they need to have a reasonable quality of life. Elder abuse is a serious problem, and recently My Fox Boston reported on issues in Massachusetts where elder abuse through social media is occurring. Seniors do not deserve to be treated disrespectfully or subject to abuse or neglect, and it is important to take action in case this occurs.

The Law Offices of James A. Miller, P.C. provides help in choosing the right nursing home and making plans to pay for it so you can reduce the risk of abuse. . Give us a call to find out more.

Elder Abuse Through Social Media in Massachusetts Nursing Homes

Fox 25 reports on the disturbing incidents at several nursing homes in Massachusetts where nursing home caregivers abused patients through social media. This form of abuse involves taking unflattering pictures and videos of seniors, without their permission, and posting those videos and pictures on websites like SnapChat and other social media. The purpose is to make fun of and humiliate the residents.

One of the people Fox 25 spoke to was the son of a woman who was living in a nursing home and undergoing treatment for dementia and Parkinson’s. She was 76 at the time, and two nursing aids took unflattering videos of her while she was confused. The videos were shared online. The nursing aides also allegedly took pictures and videos of other seniors under their care.

Prosecutors brought criminal charges against the aides for their inappropriate behavior. The victims had dementia, and they were all elderly women. The aides pled guilty in court, admitting to elder abuse, and apologizing to the families of the victims- but families reportedly found the apologies hollow. The son of the 76-year-old victim said: “They abused their responsibilities, they abused the trust that they were given to take care of these people.”

This incidence in a Massachusetts nursing home is one of many, with federal health records showing at least four incidents in the local area in just the past year. The federal government has become involved in trying to take action to stop this trend of abusive invasions of privacy. Senator Grassley from Iowa said: “This sort of abuse is just the opposite of human decency.”

Grassley has demanded a federal investigation to make sure nursing home workers who commit these types of abuses are held accountable. The federal government is also considering legislation to try to address the issue. Many nursing homes receive federal funding through Medicaid and Medicare, so there is an interest in making sure taxpayer funds do not go to support nursing homes whose staff members engage in social media abuse of the elderly.

When such abuse does occur, in addition to criminal charges against the abusers, it is often appropriate for victims and their families to bring a civil case against the nursing home to recover compensation for losses and damages.

Getting Help from a Massachusetts Nursing Home Lawyer

The Law Offices of James A. Miller, P.C. will assist you in doing advanced research before you or your loved one needs a nursing home, and will also provide help to families who need to find a nursing home quickly due to a medical emergency.

We help you make plans to pay for nursing care.

To learn more about nursing home planning as part of your estate plan, download a free estate planning worksheet . You can also give us a call at 866-370-3888 or contact us online to speak to an experienced legal professional who can help you. Call today to speak with a Massachusetts nursing home lawyer and get advice on nursing home planning.

Attorney Miller has been providing quality Nursing Home Planning and Estate Planning services to clients since 1994. These services have reached thousands of people concerned about protecting their families from the devastating legal effects of disability and death.

Free Estate Planning Worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.

Subscribe to Our Blog

Testimonials

I contacted Mr. Miller to review and make recommendations to my elderly parents estate. My mother has Alzheimer’s and we were afraid that making the changes would upset her and make her angry. Mr. Miller’s made the presentation expertly and without question as to why the changes were necessary.

Dana

Jim is very professional and knowledgeable. Clearly knows the law and keeps his clients informed about changing laws. We as well as both sets of parents have worked with Jim. All have different needs and he knew what would best serve us all.

Chris & Donna

Jim: We want to express our sincere appreciation for the great job you did for Harold and myself. Without your help, it is doubtful that we would ever have identified the true magnitude and importance of estate planning. Your expert approach made a formerly difficult task manageable and successful. Thank you!

Bridget D.

I was very impressed with the seminar I went to. I immediately was taken in by the information and trust I felt in deciding to make a follow up appointment to get all my affairs in order. I felt that attorney Miller was very thorough in explaining everything to me and answering all my questions. In the weeks ahead in calling the office, I was also pleased with the employees that took my calls and were totally there for me.